Indian Dance and Music Tradition: Yesudas And Mohammed Rafi

Indian Dance and Music Tradition: Yesudas And Mohammed Rafi

Yesudas And Mohammed Rafi

Both the singers have no comparison. Both are endowed with  the 'Creator's' immense blessings. Rafi with his Golden voice sings melodies which creates boundless passion. Das with his 'Gandharva' nada catches up equally.To my opinion the range of Yesudas sur-passes Rafi. As Rafi sung in Hindi Language which is spoken by majority Indians, he got more fame and glory. Das sings in Malayalam which is a small language confined to the little state of Kerala.

                An everlasting melody by Mohammed Rafi.The music is tunes by Bombay Ravi.

A word!

How am I to welcome you all!!

Chennai is getting excessively hot these days. Loads of watermelons are sold out in the markets of the city and outskirts.

In this scorching heat let's remain cool in the mind at least. There is a medicine for that. It's nothing but music. Not the modern music; for it will make us hotter than 'hot dogs'. The modern Cinematic  Dances are also not different. The cacophony and the gymnastic-like performance  will destroy whatever peace the mind has. 


 What I mean is the musics of the older genre, which caress the most tender passions of our heart like a mother caresses her baby. Music has no language, region or frontiers. It permeates through all barriers like air. That's my belief.

                                                     Let's hear a good music

The song is of an old Malayalam movie---Vivahitha (1970). Lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma and music by late, G. Devarajan. Sung by Dr. K.J. Yesudas

Now what about some music

Once there was a golden age for malayalam Movie musics. In those days film-song lyrics were written by well known poets of Malayalam language and to tune the lyrics as per the story demands, were good musicians. They were proficient in classical karnatic and Hindustan musics. The songs of those golden days are still green in our memories.

Here is a song written by late Shri. Vayalar Ramavarma And tuned by   late Shri. G. Devarajan. Devarajan initially was a very good classical performer. Later on he gave up classical music for the sake of cinema music.

Dance and Culture

Art and music is closely linked to the cultural Heritage of a country. As India has got a rich and varied past, our culture is of a peculiar descent. Many saints were born here. Some of them taught spiritual lessons to their disciples. Some became great dancers, and others well known musicians and painters.

The western and European countries have also their culture and tradition. But that is very much different from those of India's.

"Salsa' is a western classical music. When I first watched it, it seemed to me an exact replica of Bollywood cinematic dance. The globalization might have resulted in a fusion of cultures. The swirls, movements and jumps of the dance altogether give picture of a good gymnastic performance. The costumes worn by dancers give nothing but super erotic feeling. In the picture given the lady's boobs are mostly exposed. There is no expression on the dancers face except that poor smile.

Here one thing is to be remembered. In about 50 % of the countries of the world, illicit sex is not prohibited by law. Their enjoyment is mainly sex. So it is quite natural that their dance will also be reflection of that. You may yourselves compare the dances from the videos and reach in your judjement.


This is my opinion. Those who refute are free to do so please!

                                                        Salsa By Maria Moore

Manipuri

Manipuri is a classical dance for of Manipur State. Its theme is mainly devotional and is performed in temples especially on certain religious occasions. The nritha is often referred to as 'sankirtan'. Even though differs form other dance forms, Manipuri is richly traditional with Rasa Lila and Pung Cholom as the most important forms.

Manipuri dance-music has its own characteristics. North Indian Hindustani music is used in Manipuri alo. But there are differences in the names of "ragas' and 'thalas"

Manipuri is unique among the Indian Classical Dances, in that, elaborate instrumentation is the central part of the dance.Cymbals, Manipuri Mridanga (Pung) are the common instruments. In addition; harmonium,Pen,Bansuri, Sangh etc. are also widely used.

Rasa Lila is the most attractive form of Manipuri Dance. The theme concentrates on the love of Lord Krishna and gopikas. Physical love is often construed as a metaphor of spiritual love. In other words, Radha-Krishna love is something divine. It is performed in temples, in closed places called "Natta Mandap'

Manipuri dance developed in second century A.D The    King Khuyoi was a great patron of this dance.However the dance was introduced by king Kyamba.Since then the dance has changed a lot over the years.

                                                    The picturesque Manipuri Dance 

                                          

Mohiniyattam

Moohiniyattam originated in the state of Kerala as a temple dance performed by devadasis. It portrays feminine love-carnal, devotional and maternal' with emphasis on lasya and bhava. In the main items Cholkkettu, padavarnam and padam, mudras and facial expressions are more important than rhythmic steps.

Costumes and ornaments of Mohiniyattam have much in common with the female characters of Koodiyattam and Kathakali.

                        
                                                     

                                       Mohiniyattam performance by Ananda Ganapathy